acquit
verb
ac·quit ə-ˈkwit 
acquitted; acquitting
transitive verb
1
: to discharge completely (as from an accusation or obligation)
The court acquitted the prisoner.
2
: to conduct (oneself) usually satisfactorily especially under stress
The recruits acquitted themselves like veterans.
3
a
archaic : to pay off (something, such as a claim or debt)
b
obsolete : repay, requite
acquitter noun
Synonyms
- absolve
- clear
- exculpate
- exonerate
- vindicate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The jury acquitted the defendant because there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of the crime. acquitted of the robbery charge after proving he was nowhere near the scene of the crime
Recent Examples on the Web Tuberville was among the 43 senators who voted to acquit Trump of impeachment charges stemming from the insurrection. 
Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 Businesses that can’t acquit themselves and evolve, will die. Steve Vassallo, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Paul and other Republicans said Tuesday's vote sent a strong signal that the Senate will acquit Trump. Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2021 Trump ally Steve Bannon declined to testify and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his contempt of Congress trial on Thursday, instead arguing the judge should just acquit him, saying prosecutors hadn’t proven their case. Ashraf Khalil, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2022 The jury had the opportunity to convict or acquit Chauvin on all, none or a combination of those charges. Michael Williams, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Apr. 2021 Attorneys from both sides are seeking to distill three weeks of testimony in order to convince jurors to acquit or convict Chauvin on second- and third-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2021 Only a dozen jurors will deliberate whether to convict or acquit the former Minneapolis police officer of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and/or manslaughter in Floyd's death May 25. Paul Walsh, Star Tribune, 22 Mar. 2021 Senators are posing questions to the lawyers as the trial heads toward a vote whether to convict or acquit the former president on the charge of incitement of insurrection. Tim Darnell, ajc, 12 Feb. 2021 See More
Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 Businesses that can’t acquit themselves and evolve, will die. Steve Vassallo, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2021 Paul and other Republicans said Tuesday's vote sent a strong signal that the Senate will acquit Trump. Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2021 Trump ally Steve Bannon declined to testify and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his contempt of Congress trial on Thursday, instead arguing the judge should just acquit him, saying prosecutors hadn’t proven their case. Ashraf Khalil, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2022 The jury had the opportunity to convict or acquit Chauvin on all, none or a combination of those charges. Michael Williams, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Apr. 2021 Attorneys from both sides are seeking to distill three weeks of testimony in order to convince jurors to acquit or convict Chauvin on second- and third-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2021 Only a dozen jurors will deliberate whether to convict or acquit the former Minneapolis police officer of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and/or manslaughter in Floyd's death May 25. Paul Walsh, Star Tribune, 22 Mar. 2021 Senators are posing questions to the lawyers as the trial heads toward a vote whether to convict or acquit the former president on the charge of incitement of insurrection. Tim Darnell, ajc, 12 Feb. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English aquiten, borrowed from Anglo-French aquiter, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -quiter, verbal derivative of quite "free, discharged" — more at quit entry 1
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Phrases Containing acquit
Kids Definition
acquit
verb
ac·quit ə-ˈkwit
acquitted; acquitting
1
: to declare innocent of a crime or of wrongdoing
2
: to behave in a certain way
You are to acquit yourselves as young ladies and gentlemen.
Legal Definition
acquit
verb
ac·quit ə-ˈkwit
acquitted; acquitting
transitive verb
: to discharge completely: as
a
: to release from liability for a debt or other obligation —usually used in agreements
forever release, acquit, and discharge each other
b
: to absolve (a criminal defendant) of a charge by judicial process
c
: to clear of wrongdoing
the fact…does not acquit them of misrepresentation In re Hiller, 694 P.2d 540 (1985)
In re Hiller, 694 P.2d 540 (1985)intransitive verb
: to absolve a defendant of criminal liability
must acquit if any reasonable doubt existed Commonwealth v. Gagliardi, 638 N.E.2d 20 (1994)
compare convict Commonwealth v. Gagliardi, 638 N.E.2d 20 (1994)acquits
verb
1
as in exonerates
to free from a charge of wrongdoing acquitted of the robbery charge after proving he was nowhere near the scene of the crime Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- exonerates
- clears
- absolves
- forgives
- exculpates
- vindicates
- liberates
- releases
- redeems
- avenges
- expiates
- discharges
- condones
- pardons
- unburdens
- whitewashes
- revenges
- redresses
- remits
- excuses
- atones (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indicts
- incriminates
- accuses
- arraigns
- impeaches
- charges
- convicts
- criminates
2
as in behaves
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way the king promised handsome rewards to all who acquitted themselves well in the battle Synonyms & Similar Words
- behaves
- carries
- restrains
- conducts
- composes
- handles
- comports
- deports
- contains
- quits
- demeans
- plays
- collects
- represses
- inhibits
- acts
- bears
- constrains
- controls
- modulates
- quiets
- checks
- curbs
- tempers
- impersonates
- moderates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misbehaves
- misconducts
- carries on
- acts up
- cuts up